Customer Reviews (36 Total)
Excellent Prominent Latakia With Some Citrus, Spice, and Sweetness
June 17, 2018
Product: Lane Limited Crown Achievement Bulk
I have never had the original CA from of way back.
[Tin/bag - Pungent Smokey, tire rubber, coming through the bag and the box it was shipped in. Fades to like a muddy dank horses stall without the poop - maybe some slight old leather. Great mo... Read More
isture ready to smoke.]
Reminds me faintly of Gaslight at the start - No burning candles flavor, just barely there with maybe a hint of candle, but some good, enjoyable Latakia. Cool, and a little tangy citrus. More Latakia, not much Perique for me in the nose, but it is a player. Similar to Hearth and Home Larry's Blend, but a little less full (think I prefer Larry's just a hair more). Little grassy Virginia here and there. Some small sweetness at times, and a tiny hint of sour once in a while. Hints of Perique spice occasionally. More good spiciness with the sweetness and once in a while some very faint sour too, consistently down the bowl.
Very enjoyable smoke, no bites and easy to manage with few relights needed. Burns down to grey ash with little to no moisture in the bowl. ◄7.4/10✠Skulls► Read Less
Great Stuff!
June 26, 2018
Product: Lane Limited Crown Achievement Bulk
Runs the wife, kids, dogs, cats and bugs off! Good smoke but the above just don't appreciate quality!
For the love of all that is holy
August 14, 2017
Product: Lane Limited Crown Achievement Bulk
It straight punched me in the nose through the ziploc bag, the bubble wrap, the enveloppe and the mailbox. Woke up a week later and stored it in a jar. Anyone who unpreparedly opened the jar experienced the same fate.
Smell is of strong spicy/pepp... Read More
ery flowers salad and dusty retirement home couch fire. Tastes like the exhaust of a steam engine and tweed jacket leather elbow patches but in a good way.
Indescriptible and unforgettable, I enjoyed this much more than the much hyped Balkan Sobranie. (Which was a well kept, still fragrant and moist tin from back when it cost 1,72$ in Canada, inherited by a friend from his late grandfather, mind you) Read Less
English Crown or Balkan achievement?
June 20, 2018
Product: Lane Limited Crown Achievement 1.75oz
This is as good a review as any to visit the English/Balkan debate. I'm not saying I'm right, but here's how I use the terms: both English and Balkan blends have VA, Latakia and orientals (I know Latakia is an oriental too, stay with me here...). To ... Read More
me it's a matter of prominence within a blend, not the origin of the leaf. If it is Latakia heavy, a “Lat-bomb”, or otherwise Latakia forward I consider it English whether other orientals are present or not. Why the term “English”? I have no clue. I've heard in England they refer to these blends more correctly as “Latakia mixtures” (Brilliant!). Or, if the predominant feature are other orientals, regardless of a Latakia presence, then I think of it as a Balkan. I'm stubborn, but my understanding was influenced by the early 90s. Back then the term “Balkan” was commonly misused to mean any Lat-blend the way “English” is used today. When the only info you have is from a local B&M and they're wrong about something, you tend to be wrong too until someone sets you straight (not that the web has helped the debate). Nowadays, in casual conversation, I'm fine with these terms being used interchangeably since they both convey “non-aromatic”. Can they include other tobaccos? Sure, as long as the core tobaccos are there. Crown Achievement has Perique and it takes nothing away from the blend but adds a subtle spice upping the ante. I've never had it without Perique so I can't compare, but included this is a stellar blend. Crown Achievement is so well balanced that by my own definition, I can't tell which component is foremost and thus if it is English or Balkan. It is definitely a non-aromatic mixture. It has depth and complexity many never reach. It cooperates mechanically. Is consistent. But above all, it is a strong creamy Latakia/oriental blend of some character. In the end, it doesn't matter what you call it. I like to call it “Crown Achievement”. Aptly named, it is a pinnacle of rich & tasty tobaccos sure to please Latakia fans. Enjoy.
PS: Don't get me started on how wrong the term “oriental” is. Read Less
Best I've ever tried
May 17, 2018
Product: Lane Limited Crown Achievement 1.75oz
This is hands down my favorite pipe tobacco
Outstanding
April 29, 2018
Product: Lane Limited Crown Achievement 1.75oz
Flavorful, balanced, and smooth burning. It was my favorite in the 70s and continues to be today.
A Truly Great Blend
June 19, 2015
Product: Lane Limited Crown Achievement 1.75oz
A different Jerry L. with a different opinion. I was mesmerized by the whole story of this reintroduction of Lane Crown Achievement when it first came out... from Leonard Wortzel's super-sleuth work to the ferreting out of recipes, original machines,... Read More
ingredients, etc. My first order was for two tins which quickly met their timely and immensely enjoyed ends. My next order was for 4 tins, and my next, half a pound in bulk. I find this a superior and refreshing full-on-English blend in all the best senses of the words! Right now, as I'm typing these thoughts, I am enjoying a bowl of Dunhill NIghtcap, also a favorite. Personally, Crown Achievement is my favorite of the genre by a nose. For some mysterious reason, in Crown Achievement, the layers of ingredients and the complexities of aromas evolve through a bowl a bit more orderly, discretely, and definably than Nightcap. And although it's probably my imagination, there is a new world freshness and sparkle to Crown Achievement that I don't experience as clearly in other venerably grand lords of the English domain. When my son asked me to recommend an all-around "quintessential English", my thoughts settled down on the magic formula of Crown Achievement... for the money and for the fun, it is my personal winner that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to anyone asking the same question. Read Less
you must try
May 20, 2015
Product: Lane Limited Crown Achievement Bulk
Continuously in my rotation. Spicy, countered by mellow Latakia and orientals. This is just amazing and a tribute to the blender.
Excellent strong English
March 30, 2014
Product: Lane Limited Crown Achievement 1.75oz
This tobacco is very good after giving it some age. Open the tin and let it sit for a couple of weeks. You will be rewarded with a very good stronger english blend with a nice plummy taste.
Funky Finish & Aftertaste
June 12, 2019
Product: Lane Limited Crown Achievement 1.75oz
I tried this once a few years ago in bulk. Great stuff. Just tried it for the 2nd time in the tin.. good about 3/4 the way down. Left a taste in my mouth that I consider as less than pleasing. Almost chemically. A disappointment, indeed. A Balkan tha... Read More
t will surely not be in my rotation. Read Less
My go-to english
March 12, 2019
Product: Lane Limited Crown Achievement 1.75oz
My go-to english tobacco. Really like it a lot
Very dry, twiggy
February 06, 2019
Product: Lane Limited Crown Achievement 1.75oz
I bought 2 tins and have only opened one tin at this point. The tin was sealed and I was very surprised by how dry it was and even more surprised by the amount of stems. They weren't large but plentiful. Didn't pack well and burnt quickly. Taste was ... Read More
fair but not good enough for me to buy again. I'll probably make a gift of the other tin rather than let it take up space. I may have just gotten a bad tin. Read Less
Excellent !
January 26, 2019
Product: Lane Limited Crown Achievement Bulk
Have you ever been to a barbeque where they put some pecan shells on the coals to add a little nutty sweetness ?
If not, try this. A little sweet, a little nutty and a ton of charcoal briquet Latakia. This is Nightcap's daddy.
Excellent
October 19, 2018
Product: Lane Limited Crown Achievement Bulk
This is big and bold and in your face a little bit like 965 little bit like nightcap and a little bit like sobranie. it's got it all
Full-flavored, nighttime smoke
August 29, 2018
Product: Lane Limited Crown Achievement Bulk
This is a little too latakia-forward for my taste, but it is a well-behaved, cool-smoking full English mixture that you will enjoy if you like the Latakia "campfire" experience.
Deserves the name.
July 20, 2018
Product: Lane Limited Crown Achievement Bulk
This blend, while a little harsh, is an excellent array of flavors. I think some age would do this blend quite well. Iths heavy but not a total lat bomb. The sweet and spicy of the iginia and perique pairs well with the smoky flavor of the Latakia. T... Read More
here is an underlying bite of floral citrus that will last long after the smoke and leaves you with a faint taste of s'mores under the overall tobacco flavor. I will order this again. Best I've ever had from lane. Read Less
Seat at the bonfire
October 15, 2017
Product: Lane Limited Crown Achievement Bulk
One thing I love about B&M shops is the probability of finding some finely aged tobaccos. I purchased a few ounces bulk at my local b&m shop because when I removed the lid for a whiff the aroma that greeted me was not only rich and incredible, but u... Read More
nique in a way that brought back memories. I think this particular batch had a few years on it, and the smoothness of it is fantastic. The tin aroma is redolent of fine Latakia and orientals with a pleasant hint of charred/burning fragrant wood smoke that triggers memories of autumns and winters paat. Thankfully the tin aroma translates quite well to the flavor, and provides a smooth, rich, fragrant smoke that leaves me wanting more when the pipe is finished. No tongue bite at all, and smokes very well and even. I'm not sure what there is to dislike here. Maybe it could use a little bit more nicotine, but then it wouldn't be an all day smoke, and for me it is right now. The first lane blend that truly satisfied me and showed me that they do have more than budget friendly average blends. Average nicotine. Read Less
Very nice
October 10, 2017
Product: Lane Limited Crown Achievement 1.75oz
This is a great blend, smoked well and had good taste. I'll definitely buy more.
Nice English
August 15, 2017
Product: Lane Limited Crown Achievement Bulk
This is a nice smoke. It’s not the best English that i have had but its very very nice. Subtle and very tasty. If i cant get my hands on the full English dark blend then this would be my number 2 for sure. Just a very very nice smoke (if you like... Read More
the English that is) Read Less
Buy now before I get it all
June 09, 2017
Product: Lane Limited Crown Achievement Bulk
This is good stuff. Dunhill 965 and Nightcap are my regular smokes and this blend reminds me of Nightcap. This blend though has a slightly creamy, sweet, and spicy taste that Nightcap doesn't have. I think it is closer to Nightcap than 965 but it ... Read More
stands on its own. If Dunhill goes away like they say or even if it doesn't this blend is a keeper. I smoked it in my Caminetto Oom Paul. Read Less
Product: Lane Limited Crown Achievement 1.75oz
I am no conoisseur of pipe tobacco--more or less a newcomer, but I like this blend. I like Three Nuns; similarly this tobacco burns well with no bite and has excellent flavor.
Balanced English
April 14, 2017
Product: Lane Limited Crown Achievement 1.75oz
About time Lane got something right. This stuff is pretty darn good and is fast becoming my go to English blend.
Excellent
October 05, 2016
Product: Lane Limited Crown Achievement 1.75oz
My recent order included a couple tins of Crown Achievement. Very nice tin quality, unusual clear stiff plastic insert to hold the tobacco firm and retain moisture. Probably the best packaging I have seen.
The tobacco comes at just the right dampnes... Read More
s for immediate smoking. I wandered off into the garden and loaded up my Grabow Golden Duke. Tobacco took a light straight away and produced very nice clouds of pungent flavorsome smoke. For my first couple of bowls I wondered if this was going to have just a little too much Perique, but as I became accustomed to Crown Achievement I realised that the Perique element is what makes it rather special. It has a background sweetness, a hint of something Oriental, then the Perique on top. The Perique seems to be quite soft - there's a spiciness there which becomes very attractive after repeated smokings, but it doesn't have the big peppery kick that I've experienced in some Perique mixtures.
Having opened the first tin yesterday, I'm rather surprised to find the contents dwindling rather rapidly! Already had another couple of smokes of it this morning, and it really is growing on me. The smoking taste and aftertaste are really rather infectious.
Something in this reminds me of Dunhill's Aperitif, but I think Crown Achievement is better, more spicey but soft as well. All rather intriguing! In fact I'm going to be rather dramatic and say that this Crown Achievement beats all the Dunhills I've smoked - and that really is rather a big compliment.
So: only a couple of days into my first tin, but I think this one is a real winner, and I'm already planning to buy lots of tins for my cupboard. Well done Lane! Read Less
Good English
August 12, 2016
Product: Lane Limited Crown Achievement 1.75oz
Lane has improved much from the 70's. The CA is a good English mixture. Taste is even and it smokes smoother starting about half way through the smoke. It burns evenly all the way to the bottom. It is up there with other good English mixtures inc... Read More
luding the original John Cotton's and Balkan Sobranies. Read Less
A Stout English
February 09, 2016
Product: Lane Limited Crown Achievement 1.75oz
I don't know if it was a last batch from the bulk crate but for me it was a stout English with some complex notes of Orientals and something else. Yet, I enjoyed it. Comparable to Dunhill's My Mixture 965 without the pungent taste.
A Stout English
February 09, 2016
Product: Lane Limited Crown Achievement Bulk
I don't know if it was a last batch from the bulk crate but for me it was a stout English with some complex notes of Orientals and something else. Yet, I enjoyed it. I will have to try the tin hoping it will be a better sample. Comparable to Dunhill'... Read More
s My Mixture 965 without the pungent taste. Read Less
Product: Lane Limited Crown Achievement Bulk
I'm beginning to wonder if every blend that comes from Lane is great ! So far, for me, that's been the case. This Blend Is Pure Awesome ! Thank you !
Update;4/16- This has became my go to blend. I like others too but this, this is my go too !
Nice mixture
January 05, 2016
Product: Lane Limited Crown Achievement 1.75oz
Great quality out of the tin and smokes terrific. Taste is on the mellow side of the latakia blends of similar construction. Cant go wrong with this blend, no complaints and will buy again.
For sure
December 14, 2015
Product: Lane Limited Crown Achievement Bulk
Sasieni has lost it's #1 go to position. Lane's C.A. is more satisfying, relaxing never a bite, stays lit with creamy attitude with each draw, in a word just perfect for my taste, it will not be the last sample of Lane's to age in my cellar.
Nice afternoon smoke
November 22, 2015
Product: Lane Limited Crown Achievement Bulk
I'm a big if nightcap and mm965. If you're familiar with these blends you may enjoy this as well.
I found crown achievement to be a bit milder than nightcap but with a bit more spice. I enjoy a lot of perique in an English blend which this doesn't ... Read More
have but it's enjoyable none the less. There is nothing overpowering about it. Just smooth and enjoyable.
Smoked in a Peterson spigot. Read Less
Product: Lane Limited Crown Achievement Bulk
When I first received this tobacco, the first few bowls exhibited a somewhat harsh but pleasantly complex taste. However, I had put some down in glass jars, tightly sealed, for future use.
After a year, the tobacco has mellowed, and also sweetened ... Read More
significantly...a VERY pleasant surprise, even showing a bit more easily the complexity of this great blend. I Can't wait to see what the two- and three- year jars will be like! Read Less
Product: Lane Limited Crown Achievement 1.75oz
suberb, one of my favourites. Spicy, yet mellow, full of satisfying flavour. I like everything about this suberb blend. Highly recommended.
Welcome back, old friend
August 07, 2014
Product: Lane Limited Crown Achievement Bulk
Lane's Crown Achievement was one of my favorite tobaccos about 20 years ago. After a hiatus, I returned to pipe smoking about 10 years ago and tried to buy some more of this tobacco. Alas, it was no longer available. Flash forward to the present. I h... Read More
eard that Crown Achievement was back, and with the original formula, no less. I placed an order and eagerly anticipated its arrival. As soon as I got a whiff of the stuff, I knew my wait was over. This is an excellent English blend, perhaps my favorite overall. I will definitely be stocking up on this. Thanks for bringing it back. Read Less
Not for me.
July 24, 2014
Product: Lane Limited Crown Achievement 1.75oz
Maybe I just got a bad tin, but it had no discernible tin note, was extremely dry, and tasted harsh with an acrid aftertaste. I typically like Lane blends, but this was just bad.
Product: Lane Limited Crown Achievement 1.75oz
I certainly dont think Lane is kidding when they say they chose the finest tobaccos because the ones in this mixture really did taste like premium choices. I would also agree with Doug R.'s assessment that its improved with a little age. My subsequ... Read More
ent smokes after having the tin sit for weeks or months after opening only improved my experience with it. While I wouldnt say the flavor changed it meerly seemed to increase its positive attributes and decrease the negative ones.
I thought its unique flavor was very consistent and didnt change hardly at all throughout an entire bowl and boy did it smoke well burning down all the way to nothing. If you think you'll like whats in the blend then definitly give it a try and for me its something to work into the rotation when I am in the mood or to change stuff up. While I wouldnt call it the strongest or a super heavy smoke its definitly not light and past medium as to its strength. Nothing to be afraid of and as I said the best way I can sum it up is to testify that it did seem like a bargain for how good the tobacco was compared to the price of the tin. Beautifully presented in appearance too. The room note I did not think was pleasant and my wife agreed so I would have to disagree with that notion.
While my personal pallet really likes this one and thinks its a very unique blend that taste unlike anything else I have tried its also one I am just not in the mood for often. There is no way I would keep a lot of it on hand to age or go through tin after tin like I do my favorites but I would like to always have at least a tin or two and if I found out it was going away I may get half a dozen and that would last me the better part of a decade for as little as I crave it. Read Less
Pretty good blend
April 01, 2014
Product: Lane Limited Crown Achievement 1.75oz
A smoky BBQ smell from opening, nice smooth round notes with Orientals coming forward but not as much as in Bosphorus cruise, and with the latakia playing back a bit not too much but i can detect it here and there. Nothing like 3 oaks but a good smo... Read More
ke.I don't think i'll buy more but its only becuase i have a few other favorites with a little more up front orientals. Read Less
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